Lucinda Van Valkenburg

Diver above centerboard trunk.

GPS Location : N45° 03.380' W83° 10.180'
Depth: 60 Feet
Wreck Length: 128 Feet Beam: 26 Feet
Gross Tonnage: 301 Cargo: Coal
Launched: 1862 by Albert Little at Tonawanda, New York
Wrecked: May 31, 1887

Photomosaic of hull showing centerboard trunk and portside bow collision damage.

Description: The Lucinda Van Valkenburg was built in 1862. 25 years later it was lost on Lake Huron. Bound for Chicago with a load of coal, it was struck by the iron propeller Lehigh about 2 miles northeast of Thunder Bay Island. The crew was picked up by the Lehigh and taken to Port Huron. The sunken Van Valkenburg presented a dangerous obstruction to other vessels, as the masts remained standing high out of the water from just below the crosstrees.

Link to historical Information on this ship.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Enjoy diving the wrecks of Thunder Bay, but always respect the past. State and federal laws prohibit removing or disturbing artifacts. Future generations are depending on us to leave historic shipwrecks intact. Please take only pictures and leave only bubbles.

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary maintains seasonal moorings at many shipwreck sites. Available from May to September, the moorings make for safer diving and also protect shipwrecks from anchor damage. Sanctuary regulations require vessels to use moorings when present.

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